No i'm saying if you legitimately want to compliment someone why hold back? Why does there have to be an agenda? Would you want someone who thinks you hair looks nice or they outfit you wearing looks cute. or they think you're nice and tell you so or smart and tell you so. To do so? I think anybody would. So why not just do it? It sounds to me like you have interest in a certain fella but are afraid of coming on too strong. In which case i ask is the compliment you want to give even genuine then? If not don't say it.

well let me tell you a guy that likes you as well as a guy that wants to just have sex with you will compliment your attractiveness (since you're 38 you already know this). So his compliment doesn't mean anything other than he's taken notice of you. If you have interest in him and i'm not just talking lustful interest just take interest in his interests If he likes you it will take care of itself. You can't make someone like you you can only put yourself in your best light.